ELECTRIFIED MICROHETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS IN LOW IONIC-STRENGTH MEDIA

The ability to drive catalytic processes when dc voltages are applied to low ionic strength dispersions has been demonstrated for the selective partial oxidation of propene at 0-degrees-C in an aqueous dispersion of Pd(II)-Cu(II) supported on Y zeolite where the primary partial oxidation product can be either acetone or propylene oxide depending on the nature of the dispersed solid; in the absence of the applied electrifying force no product forms and in the absence of the molecular catalyst no selective oxidation occurs.